Phytosterol enhances oral nifedipine treatment in pregnancy-induced preeclampsia: A placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial

Preeclampsia is a severe complication which influences pregnant women all around the world, the symptom of which is serious maternal hypertension. Phytosterol is a type of natural compound commonly found in plant products, and has been incorporated into various food vectors and natural drugs. In the paper, the curative effect on preeclampsia by combination of oral nifedipine and phytosterol was assessed. Random grouping was carried out, with 253 preeclampsia patients being registered and taking orally nifedipine+phytosterol or nifedipine+placebo. The time for controlling the blood pressure and the time needed for the occurrence of another hypertensive crisis were defined as primary endpoints. The dosage required for controlling blood pressure, and the adverse effects from infants and mothers were defined as secondary endpoints. The nifedipine+phytosterol group required a remarkably shorter time for controlling blood pressure than the nifedipine+placebo group, an obviously delayed time for the occurrence of new hypertensive crisis, and an obvious lower dosage for controlling blood pressure. There was no difference between the two groups regarding the adverse effects from infants and mothers. Findings in the study suggest that phytosterol is an effective and safe adjuvant of the oral nifedipine and can alleviate the hypertension symptoms in preeclampsia patients. Impact statement There was no difference between the two groups regarding the adverse effects from infants and mothers. Findings in the study suggest that phytosterol is an effective and safe adjuvant of the oral nifedipine and can alleviate the hypertension symptoms in preeclampsia patients.